Local News

SOLEDAD — Hartnell College has broken ground on its new Soledad Education Center and celebrated the start of construction this month with a groundbreaking ceremony that was attended by more than 100 community members, local students and elected officials. Scheduled to open in spring 2021, the 16,750-square-foot multipurpose educational...

KING CITY — The year 2021 felt like an extension of its tumultuous predecessor, as news of the region’s fight against the Covid-19 pandemic carried on through the headlines each week. However, there were other stories — some virus-related, some not — that also defined...

SALINAS VALLEY — Hartnell Community College District Governing Board last week announced three finalists for the position of permanent superintendent/president and has scheduled in-person open forums this Friday. The finalists are: Michael Gutierrez, president of Sacramento City College; Brian Sanders, vice president of Instruction for...

GREENFIELD — The start of a new school year Wednesday comes with new leadership at South Monterey County Joint Union High School District (SMCJUHSD), as Caroline Cota steps in as superintendent. Cota, who began her new position this past April, brings 25 years of experience...

ENGLISH COURSE KING CITY — Monterey County Free Libraries is offering an eight-week long English as a Second Language (ESL) course at the King City branch for adult learners. This is a “basics” English class with short readings, dictation, conversation and similar activities. The course...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Residents in unincorporated areas of Monterey County now have a dedicated Noise Complaint Hotline to report noise ordinance violations. Monterey County Housing and Community Development Department is rolling out the hotline incrementally and the service may be increased over time. The new...

GONZALES — Gonzales Unified School District hosted its first district-wide College and Career Day on April 22 at Gonzales High School. The inaugural event was open to students from all grade levels. More than 55 colleges and career professionals were in attendance with students gaining valuable...

SALINAS — The last day to register to vote for the June 4 Hartnell Community College District, Trustee Area 6, Special Vacancy Election is Monday, May 20. Trustee Area 6 includes parts of Northeast Salinas, Chualar, Gonzales and Soledad. Eligible citizens can register to vote: Online at...

SALINAS — Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC), Caltrans District 5 and the County of Monterey have announced that a partial closure of Torero Drive, along Highway 68, will begin this Friday, July 12. The partial road closure is a component of the Toro Park...

SALINAS VALLEY — Last month the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office’s Bureau of Investigations, in cooperation with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and other state and local agencies, conducted cannabis enforcement operations targeting unlicensed cannabis cultivators in South Monterey County. In total, these...